The Book Club

This bit from "The Vinyl Cafe" is funny because it's so true.

When the meeting began it was clear to Morley that no one in the club had read the book except for her. She felt a warm smugness envelop her as the discussion began. But before it was her turn, the conversation had taken flight from the book she had struggled through and had landed on another novel by the same author. A much shorter book that the club had, apparently, read the previous year.When it was Morley’s turn she cleared her throat and said,“I would like to bring the conversation back to this month’s book.” The book she had spent the last twenty-four hours struggling through.Everyone stared at her blankly. It was Dana Regan who said, “Why would you do that, dear? We’re not talking about that book.”At the next meeting, it was Morley’s turn to go first. For once she had understood the book. She hadn’t liked it. She felt sure of her opinion.“The early parts were okay,” she began, “but I have to say, the second half of the book . . .” Morley was rather pleased with herself now. She was about to try out a new expression, something she had never said before. “I have to say,” said Morley, “that I think this book is . . . deeply flawed.”There was a snort from the other side of the room. “Why on earth would you say that?” said Fay Struthers